A cute rhyming story that's great for Halloween. Bonus message: don't complain about a little rain because it could be raining bats and frogs instead.A cute rhyming story that's great for Halloween. Bonus message: don't complain about a little rain because it could be raining bats and frogs instead....more

I will readily confess to reading the first few pages of the book, realizing that the end includes cool choose-a-monster interactive page quarters, anI will readily confess to reading the first few pages of the book, realizing that the end includes cool choose-a-monster interactive page quarters, and skipping right to the fun part. I DID go back to read the book after exploring all of Keith Graves cool monster ideas.

So much fun! Kids are going to love this one, though I can't see those pages lasting for a long time!

The book starts with "Master Edgar Dreadbury found Halloween a bore," and the rhyming text carries on from there.

A spin on the classic 'Over in the Meadow' this is a creepy version perfect for Halloween. "Over in the hollow, through the creaky graveyard gate, proA spin on the classic 'Over in the Meadow' this is a creepy version perfect for Halloween. "Over in the hollow, through the creaky graveyard gate, prowl a hairy uncle werewolf/ and his little wolfies eight." Young listeners will enjoy howling and hooting along with the story. The rhythm is close enough to the original to flow; I do wish that the story had a final verse to wrap things up a bit. ...more

How big could a pumpkin grow? In this story that stretches readers' imaginations, gigantic pumpkins are found throughout the United States -- hiding bHow big could a pumpkin grow? In this story that stretches readers' imaginations, gigantic pumpkins are found throughout the United States -- hiding behind the Capitol Dome, towering over the Grand Canyon, and showing up in unexpected places. The end notes include information about where each pumpkin is found.

I really like this ideas as a jumping off point for an elementary school research project (cities, states, or landmarks) but I suspect that the text is too juvenile to capture the interest of students in grades 3 - 5. This book is best for and will appeal to students in preschool through grade 1....more

Witch Spelling Bees require good spelling - both the kind that involves words and the kind that involves changing one thing into another. Cordelia, aWitch Spelling Bees require good spelling - both the kind that involves words and the kind that involves changing one thing into another. Cordelia, a young witch, declares that "I've studied. I've practiced. I'm ready to win." She enters the contest and despite Beulah Divine's nasty efforts, proves that she is the best speller of all.

Fun, funny, plenty of excellent word play and a great lesson on perseverance. My only complaint is why, why, why did the author choose to use HOE as a base word for the spelling competition?! This is not something that I want to explain to my young but all too aware student. Recommended for students in grades 1 and 2. Spelling skills required for story appreciation.

Farmer Brown does not like Halloween, though his spirited farm animals clearly do. After leaving candy on the porch and putting up a do not disturb siFarmer Brown does not like Halloween, though his spirited farm animals clearly do. After leaving candy on the porch and putting up a do not disturb sign, he goes to bed early, only to be scared by lots of creepy noises. When he hears a quack, quack, quackle, he summons his courage and joins the party in the barn. Young readers will enjoy the sounds in the story and the animals' cute costumes. A good Halloween choice for preschool and kindergarten. Obviously not as wonderful as Click, Clack Moo, I still enjoyed this fun and not at all scary Halloween story....more

I loved the vibrant illustrations. The poems, however, were a mixed bag. We have a ton of Halloween books in our elementary collection and this isn'tI loved the vibrant illustrations. The poems, however, were a mixed bag. We have a ton of Halloween books in our elementary collection and this isn't one that I'll be ordering. ...more

I generally like Polacco's work but I don't think this is a particularly great title. William attends the annual Halloween party, desperately trying tI generally like Polacco's work but I don't think this is a particularly great title. William attends the annual Halloween party, desperately trying to impress Hester Bledden. When William chases away the ghost of Titus Dinworthy, he wins a prize and Hester's affection. There are better Halloween books and ghost stories out there and as much as I like Polacco, this might be a title to skip...more

My only complaint is that some of the rhymes/vocabulary are above first and second graders' heads. Since the book is set at night, the scenes are very dark, which makes it hard for students to see the pictures and details during the read aloud. My second graders loved the rhyming and idea of bats in the library. Fun and a great bat read!

I marked this as a Halloweeen book even though it's not. I shy away from doing too much Halloween stuff but October is a great month to learn about bats. ...more

"Right in the middle of the path were two big shoes. And the shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP."

A really great and interactive read aloud for Halloween. I picke"Right in the middle of the path were two big shoes. And the shoes went CLOMP, CLOMP."

A really great and interactive read aloud for Halloween. I picked this up to read to my first graders because I happened to have a few minutes. And it was a hit! It's a cumulative story that also begs children to add the sounds that each object makes. Perfect for kindergartners and first graders -- highly recommended!

The story is fun to read alone and I give it 5 stars for its fabulous read aloud quality.

A cute rhyming story about a raccoon named Sam and his pumpkins. There are some lovely basic addition and subtraction in this story along with a bouncA cute rhyming story about a raccoon named Sam and his pumpkins. There are some lovely basic addition and subtraction in this story along with a bouncing rhyme scheme. The pictures are not as vibrant as the cover indicates. A fine story, but not one that I think is especially well-done or exciting. Recommended for students in K and grade 1.

Also, I guess I should say that this a fall story, not a Halloween story. Sam and his family make pumpkin pie, not jack-o-lanterns....more

New comments: Well, I read this to a small group of third graders today and they REALLY liked it. They thought the beginning was sad, but not too sadNew comments: Well, I read this to a small group of third graders today and they REALLY liked it. They thought the beginning was sad, but not too sad for a book for children. They agreed that the skeletons and graveyard was a bit creepy but not too scary. Overall, they really liked the book and thought it was perfect for second or third graders. I'm really glad that I read them the book and solicited specific feedback!

Original comments: Bone Dog has been popping up on my radar for a while. It's a little too creepy, scary, and sad to be a great book. Gus's dog Ella comes back from doggy heaven to help him defeat some Halloween skeletons. There are some great messages in the book -- loss of a favorite dog, finding a creative way to solve problems, being afraid -- but they just don't meld into a great book. ...more